(Oranjestad)–King Willem-Alexander’s birthday will be celebrated on April 27th and this means that Thursday is a public holiday. There will be festivities all-over the island: flea markets, restaurant specials and you may see an abundance of the color orange, referring to the color of the Dutch Royal Family, which hails from the House of Orange.
The colors of the official Dutch flag are red, white, and blue. On royal birthdays, the Dutch tricolor is flown with an orange pennant above it. Each year on April 27, Amsterdam — and indeed the entire country — turns orange and because Aruba is part of the Dutch Kingdom, we celebrate along. Aruba is one of the four autonomous countries that make up the Kingdom of the Netherlands, along with Curacao and St. Maarten and of course, the Netherlands itself.
Willem-Alexander
King Willem-Alexander is the head of state of Aruba and the governor represents the monarch in Aruba. Willem-Alexander is the son of Princess Beatrix and Prince Claus. He was first in the line of succession since his mother’s accession to the throne on April 30, 1980. he also bore the title of Prince of Orange. Willem-Alexander married Argentine-born Máxima Zorreguieta (thereafter Princess Máxima) in Amsterdam. On April 30, 2013, Beatrix stepped down, and Willem-Alexander was inaugurated as king of the Netherlands. The couple has three daughters: Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange and first in line to the throne, Princess Alexia of the Netherlands and Princess Ariane of the Netherlands.
Let’s Celebrate!
There will be numerous sporting events and family-friendly celebrations coming Thursday. Sports competitions, kite flying contests and fun-filled activities are held at various sites including community centers. There will be flea markets and various activities for children during the day in the parking lot of the supermarket Superfood Plaza from 8am to 2pm and Musical performances at Café the Plaza at Renaissance Marketplace from 12pm to 7pm. The King’s Day Dance and Trance Party will start at 7pm at Surfside Beach Bar.
The celebration will continue on the 28th of April with lighted kite flying, starting from 6pm to 12am at the Pepsi Field in San Nicolas. Don’t miss these great activities and enjoy your orange fest!
